Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-25

babbling brook, she mentally reviewing the
A tenderly caressing hand was for a
moment laid OF her sunny head; then
Jack Moses threw himself on the ground
beside her.
"Millie, is your opinion at this moment
in harmony with the declaration you made
on the occasion of our first meeting?" he
abruptly questioned, with intense earnest
ness and passion in his tone and manner.
II don't know why I should change, /" she
answered, blushing, her voice soft and low,
and her eyes dropping.
"Then, Millie," taking both of her
shapely hands in the firm, warm clasp Of
his strong ones, and with q thrilling, tender
pathos in his richly-sweet, deep voice.
you would not think me presumptuous for
loving you, would you, darling?" he plead
ingly asked.
Her bosom heaved; her heart throbbed
almost painfully; she raised her dewy eyes
to his; again they dropped beneath his
ardent gaze. A tremor shook her frame;
her hands trembled in his; but no words
escaped her quivering lips, yet he had his
answer.
He poured out his soul in burning,
her feet. He took her in his strong arms
and pressed her TO his heart.
ooh, my darling! can you give yourself
into the keeping Of a poor man who would
devote his life TO your comfort andpleasure
one who loves you better than all else
besides Oh earth? Would you consider it q
misalliance to marry me, Miller"
She wound her arms around his neck
and her answer was the seal of their be-
trothal. He folded her closer within his
strong protecting arms and rained passion
ate kisses upon her answering lips.
When she had regained her voice she
timidly asked:
"Do my parents know, Jack?"
yes. darling, they know all, md l long
have had their permission to woo and win
their precious treasure"
A happy, contented smile refted on her
beautiful face.
Then loosening his clasp OF her 1.-the
form he continued:
Now. sweetheart, are you quite sure
that you will never regret not having made
a brilliant match?' Are YOU quite sure.
love?"
ooh, JacA!" impulsivelyI winding her
plump, white arms around his neck. II
love you! Oh, l love you! how much, ]
never can tell! 1 would not loose our
heaven of love for oil the gorgeous display
that Sardi's wealth can afford. The wealth
of the world is MS nothing in the balance
against the wealth of our love. Are you
satisfied, Jack, dear?"
"a thousand times yes, my love;;" kissing
knowledge my heart ever possessed, my
darling, sweet one And now little one,
could you forgive me If I have deceived
you In one respect?"
A Startled look came into her eyes: and
her cheeks slightly paled.
"Don't be frightened, Mile, darling. It
was your own sweet self that forced me to
the deception. else I had no hope of win
ming you; besides, I wanted to be loved for
myself, and not for my wealth."
"Oh, is that ala" and a sigh of relief
escaped her.
mo, not quite ALL am John Moses
Fletcher. of Laurel Grove; that STU
pid old bachelor" slyly humorous and
mildly triumphant.
"You--you, Jack-you, Mr.. Fletcher"
she continued: "Why, Jack, you said that
you were his steward; that you were en-
gagged by his agent, and that you had never
met him." looking questioningly into his
eyes, as if to read the truth in their beaati-
fully placid and expressive, dark; liquid
depths.
II am acting as my own steward: I en-
gagged myself, and it is an evident fact that
a man. cannot meet himself" t.,
At this explanation. they laughed heart
lily, and Mile seemed satisfied, as she could
not help being with her pure, large heart,
overfowing with the joy Of perfect, soulful,
blissful love. ,
Her lover accompanied her to her home.
turn to school for the coming year. Then
when the gold and scarlet should deck the
stately naples that crowned Rock Mere
Hall, the owner of Laurel Grove should
receive his bride and Mile would accept
of the Laurels for her home.